February 24th, 2016

If you are building a new home or adding extensions in a designated bushfire prone area you will be required to comply with the bushfire construction requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC). This includes compliance with the Australian Standard AS 3959 (Construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas). Under AS 3959 your property needs to be assessed to determine your “Bushfire Attack Level” (BAL). The BAL is a means of measuring the severity of a building’s potential exposure to ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact. Your BAL rating will determine the specific requirements for your building. Please refer to AS 3959-2009 for particular construction requirements for each BAL level, with reference to roof penetrations.

Currently, the skylight products that we sell that meet the BAL requirements are:

Velux Flat Roof Skylight FCM range – meets up to BAL 40. Various sizes using custom flashings and insulated rockwool to seal any gaps. To meet AS 3959 it must be installed in roof pitches 0-60 degrees. Can be used as a roof window with a gyprock shaft or as a conventional skylight with flexible duct and ceiling frame and prismatic panel.

Velux Fixed (non-opening) Skylight FS range – meets up to BAL 40. Various sizes using custom flashings and insulated rockwool to seal any gaps. To meet AS 3959 it must be installed in roof pitches 18-75 degrees. Usually used as a roof window with a gyprock shaft.

Velux Openable Skylight VS or VSE (manual or electric) range – meets up to BAL 40 in the closed position. Additional ember resistant mesh will need to be added for when the window is opened. Various sizes using custom flashings and insulated rockwool to seal any gaps. To meet AS 3959 it must be installed in roof pitches 18-75 degrees. Usually used as a roof window with a gyprock shaft.

We expect that over time more options will be added to this list as manufacturers conduct testing of their products.

Due to the custom nature of these installations, prices will be quoted once plans have been sighted. Please email your floor plans and elevations to quotes@RJgroupwa.com.au Please also advise us in writing the BAL for the property and whether there are any other relevant planning or building requirements that must be met with the installation.